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We're still doing polls on both the ROH Respect is Earned II PPV and Sunday night's WEC show, so you can leave a thumbs up, thumbs down or thumbs in the middle along with a best and worst match to This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it This is the last day to vote.

We're looking for live reports from the Smackdown & ECW tapings tonight in Atlanta to This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it and This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

ECW tonight has:
* Tommy Dreamer vs. Armando Estrada where Estrada has to leave ECW if he loses
* Miz and Morrison doing a LIVE version of the Dirt Sheet

A look at the decisions regarding hiring Mike Adamle, Freddy Prinze Jr, the reaction to Prinze Jr. on the first day, and updates on SummerSlam is our lead story in today's issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter. You can read the issue today on this site by signing up for a web site membership. The membership will also include our traditional biggest issue of the year, the upcoming Wrestling Observer Hall of Fame issue and all the audio shows, as well as Observer back issues from 1991.

The lead story gives some of the background of the Prinze hiring, notes on his first day, reaction by people in and around the company as well as thoughts by those who have been in the position of whether he can survive in the role and what it would take. We look back at the other new Hollywood writer brought in that didn't get as much coverage, as well as look at the best known celebrity wrestling writer and how it worked out for him, and how he differs from Prinze Jr.

We also talk about the Adamle hiring, the always changing SummerSlam and teases of the entire card.

We also have a look at Elite XC's second show on CBS, the good, the bad, the ugly and what lessons were hammered home. We also look at how and why Elite XC is changing, its future, where it dropped the ball. We look at ratings, ratings compared to UFC, what can be learned from ticket sales as well as coverage of the matches themselves.

We also have notes on this week's Saturday Night's Main Event, as well as this coming week's Ring of Honor PPV show as well as notes on the next PPV show.

We have notes on changes coming to ECW, the selling of the Shawn Michaels injury angle, updates on the latest in house show bookings, who is responsible for the ECW shows with the ratings turnaround. We also look at the C.M. Punk title reign, including why it happened, how it changed from the original plan, and where things stand with it. We look at a major celebrity who once had a tryout for an on camera role on WWE television, notes on a major contract expiring, update on Jonathan Coachman, lots of thoughts on Smackdown today and WWE & TNA doing essentially the same type of angle and how each one is faring.

We have Hector Guerrero notes on Vickie Guerrero, a WWE star whose home was damaged by a hurricane, where WWE ranks on TV among the most watched sports programming as well as update on DVD sales, a former WCW star expected to be hired for a non-wrestling position, background on Jamie Noble, all the developmental news, as well as a dubious distinction of a WWE Films project. We've got an update on Mysterio, as well as one of WWE's Fan Facts on TV which was blatantly dishonest. We've also got business notes from the past week as well as highlights from all the house shows.

We also have the monthly business charts with house shows, TV ratings and PPV numbers.

We also look at AAA's coming to the U.S., and what can be learned about how the shows did as compared to the more famous early 90s shows. We look at the difference in the U.S. culture, as well as differences in the promotion of the events.

We also have a look at the CMLL World Grand Prix, filled with TNA stars, a major event leading to a possible major stipulation event involving a TNA wrestler vs. CMLL wrestler, as well as update the working relationship between the two, and the latest Mistico vs. Perro Aguayo Jr. meeting.

We also have notes on the major Dragon Gate show of this past week.

We've also got our regular weekly detailed look at the ratings of the major shows, results from the major league arena events, as well as major TV show reviews.

The Wrestling Observer ranges from 25,000 to 40,000 words covering pro wrestling and MMA all over the world.

Each issue has coverage and analysis of all the major news, plus every issue breaks major news stories before the Internet sites and has the most complete look at the business as a whole anywhere. The Observer is now in its 27th year of being the leading insider pro wrestling publication in the world. The biggest and most influential names in the industry, both from bookers, to promoters to Hall of Fame wrestlers and fighters to the biggest current names, both on camera, and behind the scenes, along with thousands of readers in all 50 states and 30 countries subscribe. Many have subscribed as long as 20 years or more straight. They get the most detailed and inside coverage of what is going on all over the world and an accuracy from having the most inside sources that can't be found on the web. Everyone from Wall Street to the major offices to the TV networks in U.S. and Japan turn to the Observer for what is going on in the business. If you are a new subscriber ordering 24 or more issues, you can get one free classic issue of your choice sent to you today. With a 40 issue subscription, you can get two free classic issues sent to you today. Just send your Visa or Master Card order with your name, address, phone number, Visa or Master Card number and an expiration date to This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or you can order by faxing that information to 408-244-3402. You can also subscribe via paypal at www.paypal.com and using the This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it address or subscribe via check, cash or money order, as well as credit card, by mail, by sending to Wrestling Observer Newsletter, P.O. Box 1228, Campbell, CA 95009-1228.

Also in the issue:

--Crowds changing for a promotion

--A look at the Carlos Colon retirement ceremony

--A wrestler who announced this past week he is running for Governor

--The well-known wrestler whose wedding was on prime time network TV and why

--More on the NTV Jr. tag team tournament

--Hall of Fame wrestler announces promoting two major shows

--Several legends return to a promotion for a big show in a few weeks

--A look at the death of former wrestling announcer Brian Teigland

--Update on The Sandman

--International promotion running a U.S. show in a few weeks

--Notes on the beginning of the career of the son of a wrestling legend

--Two readers headed to work at the upcoming Olympics

--Update on Killer Kowalski

--Crazy Jesse Ventura stories

--Notes on a new promotion that is getting local TV and names that look to be part of it

--Update on the career of Stacy Keibler and leaving wrestling

--Wrestling star from 80s almost has catastrophic accident

--Former WWE wrestler debuts in MMA this weekend, and the crazy fight that took place after the show was over, complete with a lying promoter about the incident

--Funny explanation by ex-WWE wrestler about his name showing up on the steroid list

--Brooke Hogan and attempting to get publicity

--One of the most famous wrestling landmarks is expected to be torn down and some of the famous matches in the city

--Retired Hall of Fame candidate has been talking about coming back

--Canadian major star of the territorial days and health notes

--Update on Bret Hart

--Update on Mark Madden

--Update on Tony Schiavone

--A look at the man who makes the belts

--Notes on the murder trial of a man who killed a former pro wrestler

--A look at the ROH debut in Canada and future plans

--Wrestlers, including two major international stars, who are about to make their ROH debuts

--Update on TNA Hard Justice PPV

--Tons of Kurt Angle comments as well as a look at the pilot of his new reality show

--Wrestler gets broken nose from stiff punch

--Larry Zbyszko talks current TNA

--TNA house show reports

--New York sanctioning update

--More drug test failures

--UFC business updates

--Changes to the next UFC PPV show and a look at newcomers to the promotion

--Notes on lots of major matches being talked about between now and the end of the year

--What fight could UFC put on now that would likely to the most buys in almost two years

--More on why certain fighters are unlikely to be booked on the same show

--Quinton Jackson update

--Anthony Johnson update and his protect about the finish and where it'll go from here

--What a lot of people don't understand about overturing decisions

--What city every promotion is looking at and why

--Michael Bisping talks WWE

--UFC title contender inks new deal

--Urijah Faber talks about avenging his only loss

--Update on Tito Ortiz

--More on the second Affliction show

--What deals are being proposed to some of the highest paid fighters

--TV special coming soon on major MMA star

New subscribers ordering 24 or 40 issues have to let us know what major story (ies) of the past 11 years you are most interested in and we'll send the issue with the best coverage of that story. We've got coverage of every major PPV event and world wide spectacular, every major star switching promotions, histories of companies like FMW, Rings and New Japan, retirement and obit issues of every major star who fits into those descriptions over the past 11 years, as well as our biggest issue every year, the annual awards issue, and our most controversial issue of every year, the Hall of Fame issue. Our most requested issues in our history are:

*November 17, 1997 (full details of everything leading to the most famous wrestling match finish of modern times at the Survivor Series plus a history of in-ring double-crosses)

*December 21, 1998 (the complete Vince McMahon-Bret Hart conversation right before the Survivor Series match so you'll know exactly what was said

--the conversation played in edited form both on the inaugural broadcast of Confidential as well as in Wrestling with Shadows, but everything that was said between the two about the match that was going to take place that same night)

*August 1, 1994 (the most detailed coverage anywhere of the Vince McMahon steroid trial, an issue praised in numerous newspaper article and Sex, Lies and Headlocks)

*March 26, 2001 (death of WCW and history of pro wrestling on the Turner networks)

*October 22, 2001 (why the adult audience has left pro wrestling in such great numbers and what needed to have been done to save them)

*July 8, 1991 (Ric Flair leaves WCW as world champion/Zahorian steroid trial)

*February 8, 1993 (the life and times of Andre the Giant)

*May 13, 2002 (the life story of the most incredible pro wrestling career ever, a look at Lou Thesz, in one of the largest issues of our history)

*January 27, 2003 (part one of the two-part series covering the career and life of The Sheik)

*February 3, 2003 (Part two on The Sheik including thoughts from people who worked with him and where he stands historically)

*March 24, 2003 (history of the WWWF title, inside behind the Sammartino, Backlund and Backlund era)

*April 21, 2003 (history of WWF continues with the expansion nationally, the death of the regional territories and the rise of Hulk Hogan)

*May 12, 2003 (The life and death of Elizabeth, and the rise of fall of Lex Luger)

*June 9, 2003 (Part 1 of history of WWF vs. WCW wars and what many say was the greatest year in U.S. wrestling; plus a look at Fred Blassie)

*June 16, 2003 (Freddie Blassie through the eyes of his biggest rivals and friends)

*July 28, 2003 (Part 2 of the history of the WWF vs. WCW war and the plans to make new superstars in the early 90s, what happened, and the night where the three biggest wrestling companies in the world combined for a joint show and what happened)

*August 25, 2003 (2003 Hall of Fame issue with huge profiles on the controversial career of Shawn Michaels, Chris Benoit as well as historical features on Earl Caddock and Francisco Flores)

*September 22, 2003 (Part 3 of the history of the WWF vs WCW war with the seeds that caused the collapse of the industry in the 90s, Zahorian trial, Gulf War controversy, Flair leaves WCW while holding world title and much more)

*October 27, 2003 (The fascinating life of Stu Hart plus the story of Road Warrior Hawk)

*January 19, 2004 (2003 Awards issue)

*February 2, 2004 (History of Toronto wrestling, Jack Tunney life story, Royal Rumble and Battle Royal history)

*February 23, 2004 (History of Guerrero family with Eddy's win over Brock Lesnar)

*March 1, 2004 (History of WWF continues with the period that brought the company down in early 1992, the mistakes, the real stories and how the business changed)

*March 8, 2004 (History of Wrestlemania, its greatest matches and best and worst shows as voted both by wrestlers and non-wrestlers and Wrestlemania history books)

*July 5, 2004 (A look behind the scenes and Ric Flair's book and his background with Eric Bischoff and Hulk Hogan)

*July 12, 2004 (A look at more on Ric Flair's book and his comments on Bruno Sammartino, Bret Hart and Mick Foley)

*August 16, 2004 (History of the Olympians in pro wrestling)

*August 23, 2004 (2004 Hall of Fame issue and biggest issue of the year with huge profiles on Kazushi Sakuraba, Undertaker, Bob Backlund, Masahiro Chono, Ultimo Dragon, Kurt Angle and Tarzan Lopez

--this counts as one issue if you are asking for a free issue, but ordered separately, due to size, is $6 in North America and $7 overseas)

*October 4, 2004 (the life and times of Big Bossman; as well as details of the life and times of one of the most influential men world wide in pro wrestling history, Jim Barnett)

*November 15, 2004 (the full story of what happened between Kurt Angle and Daniel Puder, plus coverage of the most important week in the history of TNA)

*January 24, 2005 (2004 Awards issue, Rock and WWE part company)

*March 14, 2005 (the 50 biggest money players in the history of WWF and a look at their Hall of Fame)

*May 9, 2005 (the life and times of Chris Candido)

*June 20, 2005 (The full story behind Paul Heyman and the death of ECW, as well as coverage of One Night Stand, Hardcore Homecoming and behind the scenes of both shows)

*July 18, 2005 (death of Shinya Hashimoto and his records with a look at the fall of New Japan, the Matt Hardy angle, tons of WWE firings, Cornette firing in detail as well as problems of a WWE developmental territory in our biggest news issue of the year which is a double-sized issue and would be $6 on its own and $7 overseas)

*August 24, 2005 (2005 Hall of Fame issue with career profiles of Paul Heyman, HHH and Freebirds plus debut of MMA Hall of Fame)

*September 12, 2005 (History of Mid South Wrestling)

*October 10, 2005 (Life and Times of the Ultimate Warrior)

*November 21, 2005 (Life and Times of Eddy Guerrero and Crusher, double issue $6 on its own and $7 overseas)

*December 5, 2005 (The Eddy Guerrero special issue, double issue $6 on its own, $7 overseas)

*January 9, 2006 (The life and times of Superstar Billy Graham, plus New Year's Eve 2005 coverage)

*January 16, 2006 (2005 Awards double issue, $6 or $7 overseas)

*April 3, 2006 (Story of Ann Calvello and the history of Roller Derby

--many called this the best issue of the Observer ever)

*April 10, 2006 (Behind the scenes at the 2006 Wrestlemania/Hall of Fame week)

*July 24, 2006 (The History of the Von Erichs and World Class Championship Wrestling

--the most unreal story ever in wrestling)

*September 4, 2006 (The Rise and Fall of Kurt Angle; 2006 Hall of Fame inductions of Eddie Guerrero, Paul Bowser, Masakatsu Funaki, Aja Kong and Hiroshi Hase including tons of wrestling history around the world from the 20s through the 60s, the evolution of working to not working in Japan, and a look at Guerrero in hindsight, double issue $6 or $7 overseas)

*October 9, 2006 (A look back nine years later at the life and legacy of Brian Pillman with tons of inside information about what made him tick as his real objectives)

*November 15, 2006 (History of WCW part one, Eric Bischoff's book and how the industry was changed forever)

*November 20, 2006 (History of WCW part two, Why Jim Ross left WCW, How Bischoff changed the company, signing of Hulk Hogan, Beginning of Nitro, Jesse Ventura, Brian Pillman, Chris Jericho and signing Wrestlemania planned celebrity away)

*November 27, 2006 (History of WCW part three, When Bischoff challenged McMahon to fight; Truth and fiction around Bret Hart signing with WCW and why it didn't click)

*December 6, 2006 (details behind Pride's offers to sell promotion and Part four of History of WCW part four, Hogan-Goldberg match and why there was no rematch, WCW loses NBC network deal in 1999 and the real reasons the company fell apart)

*January 22, 2007 (2006 Awards issue, double issue $7 on its own, $8 overseas)

*February 14, 2007 (Life and Times of Bam Bam Bigelow)

*March 5, 2007 (WWE begins plans that will change the business)

*March 12, 2007 (Life and Times of Mike Awesome)

*March 19, 2007 (Life and Times of Ernie Ladd)

*April 4, 2007 (Life and Times of Badnews Allen Coage

--which many are calling one of the best issues in history)

*July 2, 2007 (Part one of the Benoit double murder-suicide)

*July 5, 2007 (Part two of the Benoit double murder-suicide)

*July 10, 2007 (Part three of the Benoit double murder-suicide)

*July 19, 2007 (Part four of the Benoit double murder-suicide)

*July 23, 2007 (Part five of Benoit double murder-suicide)

*July 25, 2007 (Part six of Benoit double murder-suicide)

*August 15, 2007 (The legend of the God of Japanese wrestling and his influence on MMA, Karl Gotch)

*October 15 (2007 Hall of Fame double issue, $7 on its own, $8 overseas including inductions of The Rock, Tom Packs and the original Strangler Lewis)

*November 12, 2007 (Life and times of Fabulous Moolah and history of U.S. women's wrestling) .

*December 31, 2007 (History of Ric Flair and the heyday of wrestling at the Greensboro Coliseum)

*January 21, 2008 (2007 Awards issue, double issue $7 on its own, $8 overseas)

*March 17, 2008 (Life and times of Johnny Weaver)

*March 24, 2008 (Life and times of Gary Hart)

*April 10, 2008 (Farewell to Ric Flair; My thoughts, Shawn Michaels talks of Flair's meaning to him; Hall of Fame; Wrestlemania double issue, $7 on its own, $8 overseas)

You can also order any of these issues on their own for $4 in North America or $5 overseas.

Rates are:

For the United States, it is $12 for 4 issues, $29 for 12, $55 for 24, $91 for 40 and $118 for 52. In Canada and Mexico, rates are $13.50 for 4, $33 for 12, $61 for 24, $101 for 40 and $131 or 52. In Europe, you can get the fastest delivery and best rates by sending to This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it For the rest of the world, rates are $15.50 for 4, $41 for 12, $78 for 24, $126 for 40 issues and $163 for 52 .

If you order by mail with a check, cash or money order (P.O. Box 1228, Campbell, CA 95009-1228), you can get $1 off in every price range.

We now have available personally autographed copies of Tributes II, our latest book, as well as a DVD that comes with it talking more about the subjects in the book. The book covers the life stories of Lou Thesz, Wahoo McDaniel, Elizabeth, Fred Blassie, Road Warrior Hawk, Andre the Giant, Curt Hennig, Johnny Valentine, Davey Boy Smith, Terry Gordy, Owen Hart, Stu Hart, Gorilla Monsoon, The Sheik and Tim Woods. To get all of those biographies as back issues of the Observer would be a $60 value today. This is a collection of some of the best Observer articles of the past several years in a hardcover, full-color format that is 239 pages. There is also a foreword by Bret Hart. The book price is $12.95 plus $3.50 for shipping costs in the U.S., $10 for shipping costs to Canada and $12 for shipping costs outside North America. You can order the book the same way you order the newsletter.

-- WWE's quarterly report came out today. You can check it out by clicking here, and Dave will have much more in the new issue of the Observer the comes out on the website tomorrow. The gist of it is that revenues were down this quarter compared to last year, although that's deceiving because the WrestleMania numbers, which are the biggest of the year, fell in this quarter last year but the previous quarter this year. Still, that along with the fact that they were slightly down from industry estimates, was enough to send the stock down $1.37 to close at $15.59 per share today. On the bright side, in the head-to-head comparisons, every PPV was up in buys this year from the same period last year.

-- There were some interesting moments in the conference call, including one long-time investor getting very heated when talking about all the money that WWE was spending, particularly on their new TV facility. It's actually ironic that he should get so upset about this when you consider that shareholders are making more on dividends now than ever before, and, as WWE noted, while they are spending money they are making plenty of money as well. Still, not good to have shareholders taking you to task in this fashion in investor conference calls. WWE ended the call immediately afterwards.

-- There were also a lot of questions about creative and Linda avoided them by saying she usually has no idea what's going on there.

-- It was also revealed today that the money given away in the million dollar contest actually came out of WWE funds, though they noted that Vince McMahon had "paid the company back".

-- Raw last night was down to a 3.43 rating off hours of 3.3 and 3.5.

-- It is expected that Tito Ortiz will announce at a press conference tomorrow that he has signed a big-money deal with Affliction. I hope he gets the most he can while he can.

-- If you haven't checked it out yet, Dave and I have tons of news and commentary on the Ric Flair story in the new members-only Wrestling Observer Radio that went up last night. The link to the free Bryan & Vinny Show should also be fixed. You can always check out any shows you missed by scrolling down to Radio Shows on the right-hand side of the page.

-- For those who have been following the Mike Levy/IWA Mid-South story, police said today that they would not be filing any charges. It didn't help that Levy told investigators that his gang-beating was all part of the show. Chief of Police Russ Whelan did add, "I don’t know if I agree with that. I’ve got mixed feelings."

-- The newspaper Reforma in Mexico is reporting that Dos Caras Jr. says he's 95% sure he'll sign with WWE and would probably start around October. Sicodelico Jr. is also unsigned but is looking over a contract right now.

-- TNA did a 1.1 this week, its highest average audience since February.

-- On the other hand, Saturday Night's Main Event finished at a dismal 1.4 rating.

-- The TWENTY DISC SummerSlam Anthology is out today. Check it out.

-- As noted yesterday, beginning this Sunday Wrestling Observer Live will be moving to 3-5 PM PT, 6-8 ET. This will allow me to watch PPVs earlier and get post-show members-only content up on the site much faster.

-- The Fortune article that JBL referenced on Raw last night is up here. Not for the financial weak of heart.

-- Larry has a suggestion for the subtext of last night's handicap match: Hi Bryan, I think you (and probably everybody else) missed the subtext to the finish to the three way on Monday. Ever since winning the belt, JBL has been talking about how Punk is a paper champion and that he got lucky by winning the belt the way he did. Well, JBL also got lucky when his fatness fell on Punk and got the pinfall. So it was a fluke that he got the title shot, similar to the way Punk won the belt. Will they play that off? I don't know but there you go.

-- So far, Bryan Caraway, Wilson Reis, Travis Galbraith and Rafael Feijao have all passed their prohibited substances tests for EliteXC.

-- EliteXC Uprising with Robbie Lawler vs. Murilo Ninja Rua, Nick Diaz vs. Mike Aina and Gina Carano vs. Tonya Evinger is available here. You can also order the epic TANK VS. KIMBO BATTEL by clicking here.

-- Results of our Hall of Fame poll:

Who is the strongest of these Hall of Fame candidates?
Curt Hennig 39.3%
Owen Hart 24.2%
Konnan 14.1%
Ivan Koloff 11.3%
Volk Han 4.5%
Gran Hamada 2.9%
Rocky Johnson 2.7%
George Gordienko 1%

-- Anthony writes: The new biography episode on Randy Couture debuts Wednesday night on the Biography channel. It's squeezed in between the old biography episodes of Andre the Giant and Hulk Hogan.

-- Brooke-A-Mania will be running wild in Canada, according to Devin Cutting: Much More Music in Canada will be airing Brooke Hogan Knows Best on Sundays at 11 AM, 8 PM and 11 PM beginning August 24th.

-- There is a video interview with Urijah Faber up here

-- There is an interview with Matt Hughes up here

-- WWE returns to Stevens Point, Wisconsin for the first time in over 13 years on September 29th, 2008. The event will be held at the University Of Wisconsin's Quandt Fieldhouse. Tickets go on sale August 22nd, 2008 at 10 AM.

-- Todd Martin and Ben Miller's latest podcast is up here. You can also subscribe via iTunes at this link

-- For those of you that actually watch AM Raw, Devon writes: Due to the Olympics, the USA Network will be airing WWE AM Raw an hour earlier, at 1 AM, on Sunday, August 10th, 17th and 24th. AM Raw returns to 2 AM on Sunday, August 31st.

-- I Believe in Wrestling runs Saturday August 9th at the Downtown Recreation Center in Orlando, FL with Team Vision vs. Team Macktion for the AWA World Tag Titles headlining. Bell time is 7:30 PM.

-- There is an audio interview with Heath Herring up here

-- NWS/WSU runs August 22nd in Neptune, NJ at the Shark River Hills Firehouse Hall with a Women's J-Cup tournament. On Saturday night at the Belleville, BJ Knights of Columbus Hall, they run again with Missy Hyatt and Vicious Vinny, who is not, in fact, Vincent Verhei. The ECW Zombie is also booked to work the show, and apparently he recently underwent knee surgery so for all I know he'll be working the show in a wheelchair. I expect dozens of columns by Missy on our site about this one.

-- Pro Wrestling Revolution runs Vila Franca de Campo on August 9th, Chaves on August 10th, St. Maria de Feira on August 13th and Valenca do Minho on August 14th, all in Portugal. Among the headliners are Hijo de Rey Misterio (legit son of Rey Misterio Sr.), Balls Mahoney and Big Vito.

-- Phil Baroni being awesome

-- Jim Ross' latest blog is here

-- Article on the Beautiful People

-- A man who hates ground fighting

-- Do or die for Lesnar

-- Paul Heyman has his thoughts on Brock Lesnar here

-- Brent Albright thinks being champ is AWESOME~!

{plug}